Devasthan Department, Government of Rajasthan
Government department · Udaipur (Commissioner, Devasthan); Secretariat, Jaipur
The department was set up in 1949, when 22 princely states merged into Rajasthan. It took over the temples, maths and dharmashalas the old states had run from their treasuries. It directly manages 'direct-charge' (pratyaksh prabhar) temples and supervises self-reliant and other categories. It also registers and oversees public trusts under the 1959 Act. Its estate reaches beyond the state, with Jaipur and Bikaner state temples and dharmashalas in Vrindavan, Varanasi and Uttarakhand. It also runs the Senior Citizen Teerth Yatra scheme.
How it is run
A state department under a cabinet minister. It is headed in the Secretariat by an Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary, and in the field by the Devasthan Commissioner at Udaipur, with Deputy and Assistant Commissioners in the regions.
Tips for pilgrims
- Many old 'state' temples in Jaipur's walled city and around Jagdish Chowk in Udaipur are department temples. Look for 'Devasthan Vibhag' boards.
- Seniors resident in Rajasthan can apply for the free Teerth Yatra scheme through the department's website when applications open.
Temples it runs
- Jagdish Temple (Shri Jagannath Rai ji) – Jagdish Chowk, Udaipur
- Sanwaliya ji Temple – Chittorgarh district
- Shri Brij Nidhi ji Temple – Inside Tripolia, Chandni Chowk, Jaipur
- Shri Karni Mata Temple, Gajner – Gajner, Bikaner district
- Shri Radha Govind Dev ji Temple, Govindgarh – Govindgarh fort, Alwar district
- Shri Rishabhdev ji Temple (Kesariyaji) – Dhulev (Rishabhdeo), Udaipur district
- Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara – Nathdwara, Rajsamand district